News: The political battle over the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) will dominate the opening of the seventh UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi.
About United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- UNEP is the UN’s leading global authority on environmental issues, focusing on addressing the triple planetary crisis: climate change, nature, land and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.
- Founded in: 1972
- It serves as a neutral convener of governments, civil society, private sector, and UN agencies to address global environmental challenges.
- Mission: To provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
- Governed by: United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), the highest-level decision-making body on the environment.
- Membership: 193 Member States. UNEP collaborates with a wide range of partners, including Member States, private sector, UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society to tackle environmental challenges.
- Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya
- Funding: UNEP relies on voluntary contributions for more than 95% of its funding, including contributions from Member States, the private sector, global funds, and UN agencies.
- UNEP’s core funding comes from the Environment Fund, which is exclusively financed by Member States.
- It manages three Planetary Funds: UNEP Climate Fund, UNEP Nature Fund
and UNEP Pollution Fund
- Function:
- Catalyzing Global Action: UNEP promotes solutions to the triple planetary crisis (climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution) and drives global environmental action.
- Promoting Sustainability: UNEP encourages sustainable practices to help humanity live in harmony with nature, supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Scientific Research and Advocacy: UNEP conducts scientific research, provides policy advice, and advocates for environmental change to influence global decision-making.
- Leadership in Environmental Agreements: UNEP leads global efforts on key issues such as climate change, deforestation, and ozone layer protection through international agreements.
- Partnerships and Capacity Building: UNEP fosters global partnerships, mobilizes funding, and provides technical support to countries and organizations to enhance environmental governance and sustainability.
- Reports Published by UNEP
- Emissions Gap Report
- Adaptation Gap Report
- Global Environment Outlook (GEO) Report
- Frontiers Report
- Global Chemicals Outlook
- Global Waste Management Outlook
